What to Expect When You Get an EKG

An electrocardiogram or EKG is a heart test that makes a recording of the electrical activity of your heart. This electrical activity helps set your heart’s rate and rhythm. It can help doctors see if you have heart muscle damage or electrical problems in the heart.

Why is an Electrocardiogram Performed?

The test is used to measure:

Any damage to the heart

How fast your heart is beating and whether it is beating normally

The size and position of your heart chambers

The effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart such as a pacemaker

It is usually the first test done to determine if a person has heart disease. Your doctor may order this test if:

How to prepare for an EKG

Make sure your doctor knows about any medications you are taking, as some can interfere with the test results.

The day of your test, do not put any lotions, oils, or powders on your chest. You will be asked to remove any clothing above the waist and given a hospital gown to wear. Some male patients may need to have small areas of their chest shaved because hair on the chest will not allow the electrodes to stick to the skin

How is an electrocardiogram performed?

During the test, you will lie down then several sticky patches called electrodes will be placed on your arms, chest, and legs to check the heart rate, rhythm, and electrical activity of your heart

The electrodes will be connected to a machine that will record the electrical activity of your heart

You will be asked to relax, lie still and breathe normally while the electrodes record information onto a moving strip of paper

The test is painless, no electricity is sent through the body

The test only takes a few minutes

After the Electrocardiogram

After your EKG, you may go on with your usual activities. Call your doctor’s office two to three working days after your test and your doctor will go over your test results with you. Visit UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute’s treatment page for more information.

As a recognized leader in cardiovascular care — with a rich history in clinical research and innovation — the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers a full spectrum of personalized cardiovascular services. As one of the first heart transplant centers in the United States, UPMC has made significant contributions to the advancement of cardiovascular medicine.
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